If you're looking for a more formal brogue for black tie events perhaps you should consider buckle brogues with diced or tartan hose.
I confess that I have a pair of ghillie brogues but I don't wear them very often. In the day I wear brogues, highland and in the evening I wear buckle brogues. The ghillies are neither fish, nor fowl nor good red meat.
They do have the advantage that everyone wears them so you will be in with the crowd.
The 'Eathen in his idleness bows down to wood and stone,
'E don't obey no orders unless they is his own,
He keeps his side arms awful,
And he leaves them all about,
Until up comes the Regiment and kicks the 'Eathen out.
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